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Do I need a new health and residency certificate for my driver's license appointment in Phuket?
Thai driver's licensePhuket DLThealth certificateresidency certificatevisa and immigration proceduresexpat guide to driving in Thailanddocument requirements for driver's licenserenewing driver's license in Thailand
Nov 21, 2024
a year ago
Sebastian *******
ORIGINAL POSTERSo I went to the Phuket DLT office to extend my driver license as walk in customer as my licence expires December. The online que is booked out till February 2025.
I did the residency certificate and the health check up today beforehand. They checked all my documents at the DLT (all good) and I went to Teller 1 do give passport and 2 photos. Because everything is busy I got another appointment at the 23rd of December to do the test and collect.
But the health certificate is only valid for 30 days which is expired on the 23rd of Dec, not sure about the residency certificate. Do I have to bring new health check certificate for the visit on the 23rd?
I did the residency certificate and the health check up today beforehand. They checked all my documents at the DLT (all good) and I went to Teller 1 do give passport and 2 photos. Because everything is busy I got another appointment at the 23rd of December to do the test and collect.
But the health certificate is only valid for 30 days which is expired on the 23rd of Dec, not sure about the residency certificate. Do I have to bring new health check certificate for the visit on the 23rd?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on whether they need to obtain a new health certificate and residency certificate for their upcoming driver's license appointment in Phuket, given that the health certificate expires 30 days after issuance and their appointment is more than a month away. Responses indicate that it is generally advisable to get new documents if the existing ones are expired, as the Phuket DLT may not accept expired certificates. Some users suggest checking the specific policies at the DLT office, as experiences may vary depending on the staff present.
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Ken *******
Yes it's only good for 30 days
They are relatively cheap
They are relatively cheap
Ettie *********
We had to renew our Certificate of Residence in Phuket. Since we had to wait for two months for the appointment and our old certificate expired in 30 days.
The lady said that we can go get it and then come back the same day for the drivers license.
The lady said that we can go get it and then come back the same day for the drivers license.
Chris *******
Your documents have been checked and you have an appointment.
You will not need to do anything but bring the documents as checked by the DLT staff.
Yes they will be expired but they were valid upon inspection and appointment.
This how it works at the phuket DLT.
You will not need to do anything but bring the documents as checked by the DLT staff.
Yes they will be expired but they were valid upon inspection and appointment.
This how it works at the phuket DLT.
Sebastian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris ******
Then why are there so many variations some people need new certificates and some don't? Depends the officer you get then I guess?Chris *******
@Sebastian ******
No depends on the office. The process for Phuket is different because of long lead times.In an office that you show up and get it done right away, the docs must current.
When I did my first one it was 8 weeks till the appointment.
But you have to have all documents to get the appointment in Phuket.
In Phangna you can make the online appointment and show up with the documents.
That's what I did for the 5 year license, to avoid the long wait in Phuket.
Sebastian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris ******
Ok so best option just go to Phangna or redo the documents and go the appointment I got in Phuket on the 23rd. My licence expires on the 8th. If I walk-in in Phangna do you get the license the same day, or they make also a second appointment?Chris *******
@Sebastian ******
you will get same day in Phangna.You don't have to redo the docs if you have had them checked and given a slip in Phuket.
Sebastian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris ******
great!Reply to
Sebastian *******
Reply
MissRung *********
David *********
Best to get all the paperwork anew before appointment. They will not except expired letters. It’s a PITA but there will not be further delay.
Chris *******
@David ********
yes in Phuket it is once appointed.Reply to
Chris *******
Reply
Nick *******
I live in Phuket. This was the same when I applied for my first licence. I submitted the paperwork and then told to go back 2 months later for the test, payment and licence
So if you have submitted all your documents on the first visit, there is no need to re-submit.
So if you have submitted all your documents on the first visit, there is no need to re-submit.
Sebastian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nick ******
Sure it was in Phuket?Nick *******
@Sebastian ******
You think I have problems with my cognitive function?Sebastian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nick ******
😂. No, I want to believe you. But the answers are very mixed here. I guess it depends the officers you have in front of youNick *******
@Sebastian ******
No, go to the transport office in Phuket town and the process is the process full stop.Due to how busy they were I had to do it in 2 visits and the total cost was 250 bht for both car and bike licences (2yrs).
First visit - Submit your paperwork, passport, licence, residency and medical certificate etc (2 x copies plus originals).
They give you some online links to view, which is around Thai driving laws etc. About an hour of your time at home and answer a couple of easy multiple choice questions. You will get a ‘pass’ message once completed. Keep that ready for your second visit.
Second visit - Do a simple break reaction test involving mock break and accelerator peddles. Also a colour blind test. All very easy. Pay your money, have your photo taken snd then wait for your licence to be printed.
Total time for both visits around 2.5 hrs.
Sebastian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nick ******
That's how it should be! But was your second visit was more than 30 days apart of your first visit? Because that's apparently the culprit.Nick *******
@Sebastian ******
Yes it was 2 months apart.Sebastian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nick ******
Ok i will be just going with the documents I got and report back. Thanks!Nick *******
@Sebastian ******
I took passport, medical certificate, residency certificate, UK driving licence and international driving permit.Reply to
Nick *******
Reply
Bernd ***********
@Nick ******
correct answer, but this is for Phuket DLT ! Dunno if all other offices handle it the same way...
Reply to
Bernd ***********
Reply
Monti ********
You can go to the Phangna DLT Tuesday Thursday as walk in. No queue. That’s what we did.
Sean *****
@Monti *******
hello, do you know what time the Phangna DLT opens and what time they stop taking walkins on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s? Are there any tests, if so which ones?Monti ********
@Sean ****
can you DM meSean *****
@Monti *******
I think I figured it out. Thank you for your help.Sebastian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sean ****
what will you do? Just go on Tuesday early morning and do the walk in?Sean *****
@Sebastian ******
the office said they do not take walk ins.Reply to
Sean *****
Reply
Monti ********
Sean *****
@Monti *******
looks like it’s booked out for a while so I’m going to do the walk in like you did. I plan to call them today to ask questions. Could you please tell me more about the test? Mine is for a renewal. Is it like a multiple choice test or what? What’s the content of the test and how long is it. Thanks!
Reply to
Sean *****
Reply
Monti ********
@Sean ****
I would double check but pretty sure we got there for 9:00am. Yes you have to watch the video and then bring the QR code that you are given on completion.Reply to
Monti ********
Reply
Philip ***********
You will need a new certificate of residence and new medical if you cannot do within 30 days That's what they told another guy when I was there last week ..
Sebastian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Philip **********
that's what I thought. So annoying! They could have said something, but nobody mentioned anything.Reply to
Sebastian *******
Reply
Jon ********
A agent could help you
Frank **********
@Jon *******
I seriously doubt that.Brett *****
@Frank *********
he is 100% correctFrank **********
@Brett ****
you still have to be there to take the reaction test and picture, right?Brett *****
@Frank *********
yes but they get you to front of que I replaced my 2year with 6year on Tuesday all with agentFrank **********
@Brett ****
okay, I understand now. Was wondering because I see a lot of advertising saying "no need to take tests, we do it for you". Only reason why I made my original comment.Brett *****
@Frank *********
pdls 💯 legalReply to
Brett *****
Reply
Jon ********
@Frank *********
you don’t know what you are talking about but I am sure you have all the answers so why post garbage ?Reply to
Jon ********
Reply
Greg ***********
a "certificate of residence" from Immigration normally is valid for the specific purpose (here application to a driver's license) only for 4 weeks. It should be mentioned on the certificate in Thai. Get a Thai person to translate or or use Gogle Translator lens
กะลาสี *****
I don't live in the Phuket area but rather in the Pattaya area and we have the same problem here. I had to renew my motorcycle license two months ago in September. I went to the DLT in the neighboring province of Rayong (Pattaya is in Chonburi province.) I just made my appointment online at the Rayong DLT and I got right in, within a few days. I recommend you do something similar with a neighboring province. BTW, both your residence cert and your medical cert are only good for 30 days and you will need another of both, if they are older than 30 days.
Kevin ********
TIT anything is possible depending on the staff on the day to make sure you are 100% covered it would be best to get a new one closer to the date of your appointment
Reply to
Kevin ********
Reply
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